Team spirit: Chief Executive Donald Tsang appoints Victor Lo, Marvin Cheung, Dr David Li, Charles Lee, Ronald Arculli, Dr Edward Leong, Henry Fan, and Professor Anthony Cheung to the Executive Council.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang has announced eight new additions to the Executive Council, and has appointed Leung Chun-ying Convenor of the non-official members.

From November 1, Charles Lee, Ronald Arculli, Dr David Li, Dr Edward Leong, Marvin Cheung, Henry Fan, Victor Lo, and Professor Anthony Cheung will join the Executive Council as non-official members.

Distinguished figures

Mr Tsang said the eight new members are distinguished figures from different sectors and have extensive experience in public service.

"Excelling in their own professions, the new members are also socially and politically astute across the spectrum of public affairs in Hong Kong. They are capable of offering sound and insightful counsel both within and outside their respective fields in the widest interests of the public," he said. 

Praising their commitment and loyalty to Hong Kong, Mr Tsang said they will help the Government refine its policy thinking to facilitate implementation and make policies more responsive to public sentiment.

Greater representation

Mr Tsang said an expanded ExCo will take its membership from a wider spectrum of the community.

"It includes representatives from labour and social services, and also representatives from financial services, business and academia. A broader range of views can help me consider issues from a wider perspective when formulating policies and can help improve our governance.

"I will encourage our officials to have more contacts with the non-offical ExCo members during the early stage of the policy-formulation process."

Mr Tsang said the expansion of ExCo and the Commission on Strategic Development will improve governance and enhance the acceptability of the Government's new policies.

ExCo discipline

On the reinstatement of the post of Convenor of the ExCo non-official members, the Chief Executive said the move will enhance liaison among non-official members.

Mr Tsang said the rules of confidentiality and collective responsibility will remain, adding all members understand the council's final decisions are made through rational discussions and negotiations.

When asked why a number of former Legislative Council members had been appointed, the Chief Executive said their background will help the Government understand lawmakers' stance, enabling it to gain more support.

BIOGRAPHIES

Charles Lee, 69, is the Independent Non-executive Chairman of the HK Exchanges & Clearing Limited, Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority Chairman, Chairman of the Council of the Open University of Hong Kong and Board Member of the Community Chest of Hong Kong. He is one of the founders of Woo Kwan Lee & Lo. Mr Lee has served on a number of Government boards and committees and was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star medal in 2000.

Ronald Arculli, 66, is the Managing Partner of a law firm. He is the Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman and Health & Medical Development Advisory Committee Vice-Chairman. He was a Legislative Councillor (1988-2000) and has served on Government advisory and statutory bodies. He was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star medal in 2001.

Dr David Li, 66, is Chairman and Chief Executive of the Bank of East Asia Limited. He has been a Legislative Councillor since 1985 and is an experienced member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee and the Banking Advisory Committee. He is also the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong. Dr Li has served on Government boards and committees and was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star medal in 2001.

Dr Edward Leong, 66, is a medical doctor. He is Elderly Commission Chairman and Chairperson of the Council on Human Reproductive Technology. He is also a Member of the Council of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Member of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council and Member of the Council of the University of Hong Kong. He has held key posts in the public service sector, including Member of the Legislative Council (1998-2000), Chairman of the Hospital Authority (2002-2004) and President of the Council of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (2000-2004). He was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star medal in 2001.

Marvin Cheung, 58, is the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for the Tracker Fund of Hong Kong. He is currently a member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, the Board of the Airport Authority, the Operations Review Committee of the ICAC, and the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council. He also serves as the Independent Non-executive Director of the Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Limited, Vice-Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and member of the Council of the Open University of Hong Kong. He was awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star medal in 2000.

Henry Fan, 57, is Managing Director of CITIC Pacific Limited. He is Independent Non-executive Director of the Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Limited and Treasurer of the Council of the University of Hong Kong. He serves on Government boards, committees and advisory bodies and was awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star medal in 2001.

Victor Lo, 54, is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Gold Peak Industries (Holdings) Limited. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation, Member of the Steering Committee on Innovation & Technology, Member of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council, Member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Design Centre. He was Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries between 2001 and 2003 and was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star medal in 2001.